1991 Mercury Cougar Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 15%of 73 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 141,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 1991 Mercury Cougar, 15% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 141,000 miles. 6 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 1991 Mercury Cougar. The contact smelled something burning while driving 50 MPH. The headlights and instrument panel lights dimmed and the headlights began to flicker. The dealer stated that the circuit breaker had a short circuit. Recall number 99v275000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch) was found. The current and failure mileages were 141,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10197452, filed 2007-07, 141,000 miles“Drove vehicle about 200 yds, saw smoke coming from steering column, stopped & checked under hood, few minutes later flames were coming from steering column.”
NHTSA complaint #986009, filed 1996-06“While parked in front of home, owner heard explosion sound; came out to check; vehicle was engulfed with flames inside and outside, underdash/underhood.”
NHTSA complaint #983474, filed 1996-04Related recalls
- 96V071000Apr 25, 1996The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.Covers: Mercury Cougar 1988–1993, Ford Thunderbird 1988–1993, Mustang 1988–1993 +12 more
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 12 | 15% |
| 2000 | 63 | 30% |
| 1999 | 99 | 22% |
| 1997 | 4 | 5% |
| 1996 | 3 | 5% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1994 | 6 | 4% |
| 1993 | 8 | 4% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 11 | 15% |
| 1990 | 19 | 22% |
| 1989 | 12 | 15% |
| 1988 | 12 | 22% |
| 1987 | 13 | 39% |
| 1986 | 4 | 31% |
| 1985 | 6 | 60% |
| 1984 | 7 | 41% |
Other parts of the 1991 Mercury Cougar
17 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1991 Mercury Cougar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology